The detergent and paint industries have long used MIT (Methylisothiazolinone) as a biocide/preservative in water-based formulations.
Until now, the legislation required MIT to be labelled as H317 (it may cause an allergic skin reaction) when above 1000 ppm, and as EUH208 when above 100 ppm. This, so far, has not been a problem for these formulations, as they mostly have an MIT concentration between 50 and 200 ppm.
However, from May 2020, MIT concentration limits will be drastically reduced to 15 ppm (H317) and 1.5 ppm (EUH208). As a consequence of this regulatory change, those who do not wish to change the labelling of their products will have to look for MIT substitutes.
Lanxess, our representative for the Preventol® range of biocides/preservatives, has developed a series of MIT free solutions that serve as MIT substitutes for detergents and paints.
Preventol® BIT IT
The first MIT substitute is a combination of CIT/MIT and BIT that acts as a broad-spectrum, fast-acting biocide, stable up to pH 9 and 60ºC. It does not generate bleaching. It is an ideal solution in cases where the use of CIT/MIT is accepted. This MIT substitute is used as a PT6 preservative in both paints and detergents.
N2000 Antimicrobial
The other MIT substitute is a 35% solution of dodecylguanidine hydrochloride (DGH) that is used for the control of algae, bacteria, fungi and molluscs. DGH is non-sensitizing and therefore it does not require hazard labelling. This MIT substitute is effective at low concentrations and for a wide pH range. It is a cationic biocide especially indicated as a PT6 preservative for the formulation of fabric softeners.
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